Bottom Line:
Commissioners will consider a request to allow vehicles to park in yards north of Ninth Street for Kansas University football games at Memorial Stadium.
Angie Blair is asking commissioners to adjust the city’s parking rules to permit such activities. She’s been parking vehicles on a lot at the northeast corner of Eighth and Mississippi streets for five years, but she reports that Lawrence police recently have been “threatening to ticket each car.”
“The KU football games have had sold-out crowds of late and the parking available is not adequate for the number of people that attend the games,” Blair wrote, in her request for consideration.
Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the issue and provide instructions for city staffers to proceed, if appropriate.
Background:
Off-street parking is permitted in the city, provided the vehicles are parking on a driveway or another so-called “improved” surface. Exceptions are allowed for no longer than 24-hour periods, and only then if approved ahead of time by commissioners or the city manager.
In 1998, then-City Manager Mike Wildgen signed off on a city policy that allows exceptions in the Oread neighborhood, defined as the area bordered by West Campus Road and Ninth, Tennessee and 14th streets.
The policy — which codified directions issued by commissioners in 1992 — allows parking in yards for up to 24 hours on days when KU has a home football game.
City commissioners and city staff will meet at 4:30 p.m. with representatives from the Kansas Department of Transportation concerning area transportation projects. The regular meeting will begin about 6:35 p.m.
Proclamation
• Proclaim October as Meet the Blind Month and Oct. 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
Consent agenda
• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions: Planning Commission meetings of Aug. 24 and 26; Hospital Board meeting of Aug. 19.
• Approve all claims.
• Approve licenses as recommended by the Department of
Administrative Services.
• Approve appointments as recommended by the mayor.
• Bid and purchase items:
a) Award bid for four backstops and foul line fencing at the Youth Sports Complex for the Parks and Recreation Department to Ameri Fence for $22,565.
b) Award bid for cab and chassis for CSI vehicle for the Police Department to Laird Noller Automotive for $36,835, to be paid fully with grant funds.
• Adopt these ordinances on second and final reading:
a) Ordinance No. 8460, amending the 2006 International Residential Code and 2006 International Plumbing Code to allow the use of CPVC piping in potable water supply systems.
b) Ordinance No. 8461, adopting the 2008 National Electrical Code to become effective Jan. 1, 2010.
c) Ordinance No. 8453, for Text Amendment TA-4-4-09, to various sections of the city of Lawrence Land Development Code to address implementation issues regarding parking standards.
d) Ordinance No. 8455, for Text Amendment TA-6-15-09, to Article 10 of the city of Lawrence Land Development Code to amend standards for landscape plans.
• Adopt Resolution No. 6865, authorizing the filing of applications with the Federal Transit Administration for Federal Transportation Assistance for the Transit System.
• Defer second reading of Ordinance No. 8387 for the Rezoning (Z-2-2-09) of 1725 N.H. from RM24 (Multi-Dwelling Residential) to CS (Commercial Strip), until such time as the contract purchaser commits to close on the purchase of the property, or March 15, 2010, whichever is sooner.
• Approve Text Amendments TA-6-10-09 and TA-6-11-09, to various sections of the city’s Land Development Code to permit non-ground floor dwellings and work/live units in various zoning districts and for revisions to the standards for multi-dwelling structures in various zoning districts. Adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8454, amending the code.
• Approve Text Amendment TA-7-18-09, to various sections of the city’s Land Development Code to (1) exempt certain projects in the CD, Downtown Commercial District, from site planning requirements, and (2) revise certain requirements in Article 13 Development Review Procedures related to Major, Standard, and Minor Development Projects. Adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8454, amending the code.
• Approve a request by BG Consultants, on behalf of a developer, Fairway LC, for a variance from city code 19-302(1)(B) to allow the installation of master water meters for townhouse buildings of fewer than 13 units, at 4300 W. 24th Place (Casitas).
• Approve a substantial amendment to the 2009 Consolidated Plan Investment Summary for Lawrence Community Shelter, 214 W. 10th St., for shelter improvements — bathroom upgrade, sprinkler system installation — in the amount of $24,950 from 2009 Contingency funds.
• Approve an update to the 2008 CDBG-R substantial amendment to the 2008 Consolidated Plan Investment Summary for Lawrence Community Shelter, 2176 E. 23rd — property acquisition for emergency shelter site — $78,789.
• Authorize the mayor to sign a release of mortgage for Syed and Theresa Bari, 2524 Overlook Circle and Edna Abram, 944 Rockledge Road.
• Receive city manager’s report.
Regular agenda
• Receive H1N1 update from Dan Partridge of the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department.
• Receive request from the Sister Cities Advisory Board to declare Iniades, Greece, and Lawrence as sister cities.
• Consider approving Rezoning Z-7-11-09, to rezone about 10.97 acres, at 4300 W. 24th Place, which is at the southeast corner of Inverness Drive and Clinton Parkway, from RSO (Single-Dwelling Residential Office) to RM15 (Multi-Dwelling Residential). Submitted by BG Consultants Inc. for Inverness Park LP, property owner of record.
• Receive request from Angie Blair to amend the current policy regarding parking on unimproved surfaces at 746 Miss. during Kansas football games.
• Receive staff briefing on status of review of Parks and Recreation facility needs.
• Consider authorizing the city manager to implement a 2010 contribution increase waiver for employees with dependent health care coverage and a tobacco cessation program.
• Receive report from the city auditor regarding Solid Waste Performance Audit scope.
Comments
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WilburM (anonymous) says…
To quote an OWL neighbor, "let a hundred (temporary) parking lots bloom!"
OonlyBonly (anonymous) says…
Always harassing the little guy!
Bowing to KU pressure to limit "off street" parking so attendees will be more likely to use recently added KU provided (substitute "money making for KU athletics") alternatives
Alabamastreet (anonymous) says…
By 2010 commissioners will have to vote to let people leave their jet packs in front yards north of 9th street. That is going to be so cool to watch . . .
Alabamastreet (anonymous) says…
Well, that's what I thought 10 years ago.
moderationman (anonymous) says…
Once again, it's dump on KU Athletics time. The fees for parking go to pay the rent for the parking facilities and for the free bus service. KU Athletics pays about 1/3 of the total revenue of the parking department. That's money that faculty, staff and students don't have to pay.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
Hey OB and MM, did you guys even read the article?
The only concern I would have is, who will benefit? The property owners? Or the people that live there? Since Lawrence is a city of rental units, especially around the university area, I hafta ask, who gets the privilege of collecting $$ for allowing parking in the yard, the people that live there or the owner of the property?
Scenario>> I live at 10th and Miss. (make believe for those who didn't catch it)
My landlord sets up Saturday AM bbq and lawnchairs and starts drinking with friends and family as people start to pull onto the front yard. At $15/car he is cleaning up by comparison to my student wages at the job I dress and leave to get to.
I return home to find my rented yard filled with cars, as is my "improved" parking spot in back, and I have to park 6 blocks away and walk home.
Just food for thought because this happens any given Saturday across the country. it will happen to you too.
Just another question.
Why is Loring asking the city for close to 30,000 for improvements on the soon to be vacant shelter while asking for 80,000 to buy new property?
I trust Loring, and his greatest intentions but, this seems a bit much. Maybe he is just covering his bases in case one idea fails he has a back up?
del888 (anonymous) says…
can a police officer really ticket a car parked on private property? that seems more like a zoning issue. my neighbor has had a car parked in his yard every since i have lived here (14 years). Seems like they could just look the other way on game days. Do we really need an ordinance change? How about just helping out your fellow neighbor for once.
sherlock (anonymous) says…
A city ordinance is in force for the whole city.
All vehicles must be parked on a hard surface, either concrete, black top, brick, gravel etc. Parking on grass is subject to ticketing. Blocking sidewalks is also an offense for parked vehicles and is subject to ticketing. I understand that only in the Oread area is it permissable for parking in yards for football games only! It is not permitted anywhere for yard parking during basketball season, and the police will give tickets to anyone who tries it. And they patrol the area around the fieldhouse to check during every game. So the neighbor that routinely parks in his yard, may have a surprise sometime waiting on his windshield!
Geekin since you pay rent where you reside, dont you have any rights pertaining to what youre landlord does to the yard on football days? Did he ask if you cared? Have you checked it out? The least the person could do is clean up after "fleecing the public" so you as a tenant did not need to. Something wrong with this pix???
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
Not only this, but the Lawrence Police Department "cherry picks" all of the areas North of the stadium for insignificant parking violations during games; rather than address real moving traffic violations and other crime issues. The City does not want to allow parking in yards and loose parking fines because of my comments in my first sentence.
Following the recent Southern Mississippi game $55 parking tickest were everywhere for violations like:
Parking within 15 feet of a crosswalk
Parking within 30 feet of a Stop Sign
Parking within 20 feet of an alleyway
Talk about community relations, real good impression for out-of-towners coming to Lawrence and spending their ducats following a game. Any other time , these issues would be overlooked.
thelonious (anonymous) says…
This is a bad idea and unnecessary.
As for the purported reason for the request, [“The KU football games have had sold-out crowds of late and the parking available is not adequate for the number of people that attend the games,” Blair wrote, in her request for consideration.], well, people can park downtown and take the shuttle buses. This argument is a red herring.
The real reason for Ms. Blair's request is to line her pockets. To heck with the quality of life for her neighbors.
If you live in the Pinckney neighborhood, you need to get down to this city commission meeting to voice your opposition to this due to your deisre to continue to be able to drive through your neighborhood during game days, unless you are fine with being a prisoner in your own house for most of seven Saturdays in the fall.
Have you tried to drive through Old West Lawrence during games? I bet that is fun for homeowners there.
I do not live in the Pinckney neighborhood, but if I did I would be against this. Limit this to OWL and Oread - there is no reason to impose this headache on Pinckney as well. The City of Lawrence needs to act like it cares about its neighbohoods.
This is a bad idea and unnecessary.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
thelonious: Enough crying for the Old West Lawrence and Pinckney neighborhoods. These events only happen 5 or 6 Saturdays a year. Relax and enjoy the fact that the team is doing well, is bringing $'s into town. Also, don't kid yourself, many "Old Westers" are making big money from their other business interests benefitting from The Games. Don't "kill the golden goose".
merrill (anonymous) says…
If some can do it on game day only why not open it up to all on game day only? So long as there is no encroachment on a neighbors yard whatsoever. Otherwise expect an expensive tow truck and a huge bill for landscape repair.
It is okay for the LPD to enforce parking violations everyday of the week no matter where. Obviously some feel Jayhawk games are worth $55.00. Some of these parking violations create obstruction of view which is not necessarily safe during heavy game day traffic.